Soulcycle – Brentwood

The people who work at the Brentwood location are way nicer than the Beverly Hills location. Checkin was smooth. The instructors and front desk staff are all ridiculously good looking lol… greater incentive to show up to an early morning class ;)
Park in the lot behind the studio-​you can get your parking validated.

This is a soul cycle place. As fun and silly as any. Came with a friend for a 7 am class on a Tuesday with Lindsay B. She was very intense and inspirational with LOUD music. The front desk people were friendly. They make it easy to get a water and shoes and just charge your account after. They also let me switch bikes to be closer to my friend, which was really nice. The locker space and bathroom are VERY tiny surprisingly since this is a popular place. Would be nice if there was a bit more space. Of course there is the ridiculous price, the mad rush to sign up for class at 12 pm Monday when they open up, etc. But it’s nice to mix it up and be around the energy every once in a while. I walked but parking seemed relatively easy there is a lot with a guy out front and some meters. Try the apartment streets just south as well. Soul cycle can be intimidating your first time. You are trying to figure out how to adjust bike, put feet in, stay on the beat. But if you don’t take it too seriously and remember that you can turn down your resistance or sit down if you need to it is a fun work out.

So, Soulcycle markets itself as a high end studio. It’s $ 35 a class. No doubt, the studio is clean, attractive and the amenities are great. This is not my regular spin studio but I do come here every so often with a friend, and he is a regular.
This is my take on MY experiences here so far:
The front staff is usually very friendly and helpful. And by usually I mean most of the time, not always. They tend to turn up the friendliness ten notches when my friend walks in with me, after he says who he is, but when it’s just me, they’re…meh.
My first class ever was with Cole. Ahhhh… maaaa…zing. That pretty much sums it up. No one else at that studio even comes close in my opinion. Excellent class, music, and teaching style.
My second time there I was walking in and Brian, one of the instructors (I found out who he was after I found myself in his class) and a friend of his were walking in at the same time as I was and he said rather loudly to his friend «who brings their bright pink gym bag to spin?!» about me. Well, clearly I did (insert expletive). I do what I want, and I think it’s super tacky for you, as an instructor to behave like an immature child. Anyhow, I got over his snide remark and chalked it up to his immaturity. Like I said, I found myself in his class. The music was good, the class was good, so for that, I’ll give him credit.
I’ve taken a few other classes and yes, they have been a great workout and even been physically challenging (to the point where I’ve been sore the next day) but… also rather boring. Either the music’s been flat, the instructor has talked too much, or some other little nuisance that just hasn’t made for a ‘kick-​ass, hell yeah I can’t wait to do this again’ type of experience.
Anyhow, this is still a great studio to come to if it’s your neighborhood studio. Other than the little things mentioned above, it’s still a great place to spin. I love that their bathrooms are stocked with bags for your wet clothes and toiletries as well. They validate your parking, have water for sale, and even have shoes if you forget yours (this was a HUGE plus for me because I forgot my shoes this last time).
You’re not allowed to take phones or anything other than water inside (they have lockers), and the bikes are very close to each other (to accommodate more clients i’m guessing). The ambiance is dim and candlelight, so if you’re into spinning in a soothing environment, this is definitely for you. I’m more into loud, fun, energetic classes with amazing energy and all different types of music.
Anyhow, Soulcycle is still A-​OK in my book!

Loved Lindsey S. She was amazing. Encouraging, motivating and inspiring. If that’s what you’re looking for, she’s your girl.
And not to mention, that workout class went by so fast! Night and day difference to spending an hour on the treadmill watching the seconds tick by. This is a great workout if you are resistant to working out and/​or hate to be on a hamster wheel.
Also, I was apprehensive about trying SoulCycle because of the pretentiousness I was expecting to encounter– I didn’t an ounce of it! The staff was incredibly friendly, they showed me how to use the bicycle (clicking in/​out of it), they adjusted it for me and the other class attendees were equally friendly! I wish I had tried it sooner.
Book your class online in advance to be sure to get a seat and go into it with an open mind with the intention of having some fun (in addition to a good workout).

No better way to start my work day than waking up for a 6am class. Staff is always friendly even at that hour.

Love the classes, but this studio is so cramped and poorly designed. It’s virtually impossible to get to the locker room or to the lockers before or after class. There’s a tiny narrow hallway that’s way to crowded, so you’re bumping into gross sweaty people who have no interest in moving out of the way. Not ideal at all.
Men’s bathroom is tiny. Nowhere to change. Only one stall. Very hard if you’re coming to and from work. You’re better off at Beverly Hills which has more room to move around.
Also, parking is a nightmare. There’s a parking lot in front of and behind the studio but they’re small and fill up fast. Get there early so you can find a space.

Soul Cycle Brentwood sucks! Worse staff ever. We had made reservations for a birthday surprise and they messed up the whole birthday surprise! My guest had checked in on our behalf but since we weren’t physical present they didn’t let the birthday girl nor me ride! I had even told them when I was reserving the seat that we were surprising my sister and we will come in a little late but they had given up her seat already!

Soul Cycle is without doubt my favorite workout EVER!!! Cole and Lindsey S are phenomenal… they have fantastic energy! Inspirational, fun, it’s an experience not to be missed! Love these classes.

Just took a class with Michael M., he is really great. What made the class standout relative to others I’ve taken was that he used the intonation in his voice rather than volume to motivate everyone. He never used the shrill screaming method to get the room excited, instead he would reinforce strong riders by complimenting them. I was surprised to see just how many names he remembered from the start of class when he walked around introducing himself as people got settled onto their bikes. He made deliberate transitions that made the class flow smoothly from song to song, which WASN’T blaring so loudly that you couldn’t hear his instructions, it was at a good level.
Most importantly (at least for me), he actually put some resistance on the wheel. All too often I find myself out of rhythm with the instructor who is insisting that everyone pedal faster, but he/​she is nearly bouncing off their seat because the pedals are moving faster than their feet can keep up with. Michael M. busted his ass with the rest of us, dripping sweat and incorporating a few moments of silence where it was obvious his heart rate was racing too, which made me want to work harder. The pedal speed surged when he let us get into the zone and then he jumped back in with supportive comments.
If you get a chance to check out his his class, do it.

Very addicting and the best spinning classes you will every have. Brian is my favorite teacher as he is full of energy and makes the classes fun. I have never had 45 minutes go by so fast. Classes are always full. Parking is easy in the back. The best. 5 stars all the way. Thank you Brian!

This Austinite hit up SoulCyle while on vacation in California! The rhythm based ride gives you the ultimate full body workout and you leaves feeling refreshed, strong and sweaty! Their classes are upbeat, positive, extremely challenging and fun! I had an awesome time and they did not disappoint one bit. I can’t wait until they open in Austin.

It should come to no surprise that I love this studio, too!
1 — Parking is a breeze. There’s a lot up front and if that’s full, there’s a lot behind the studio, too. They’re both paid lots but validation is good for 90 minutes.
2 — Gina is an awesome instructor! Take her, and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
3 — The staff is amazing! I wanted to purchase a hoodie but didn’t have enough time before class so they put it aside for me. It was the last one in my size, too!
Note: The lockers area can get a little cramped so try to get in and out of that area as quick as possible.

Took my first class at Soul Cycle last night… All I can say is wow!!! Jenny C was a great instructor! Great energy, motivation and of course the workout was insane. I will be back next Thursday for sure.

Soulcycle is addicting. I’m not sure why. It may be the stark, clean, gum smelling atmosphere of the place or seeing all the beautiful people in their lulu lemon that makes people go there. It’s almost like a cult culture or something!
I’ve been about 3 times and I have enjoyed my experience every time. Everyone is super nice and the instructors are fun and inspiring.
The workout is good but I don’t know that I am necessarily getting more out of it than my previous LA fitness spin classes. At 30 bucks a pop plus 3 bucks for the shoe rental, I will likely only be back if I decide I need a soul-​inspiration or something cheesy like that.

Not my favorite location, although I go because it’s closest to me. It’s small, has lockers that are kinda finicky, and the parking lot is often full, especially midday weekends and weeknight evenings. Also, I’ve noticed more issues with the bikes being worn here than other locations (loose handlebars, wonky resistance knobs) — not terrible, but annoying if you get one of those bikes. If you’re new or not feeling super, it’s harder to hide in the crowd since the studio and groups are small here. You can tell this location has been open a while because there are some die-​hard regulars slaying in the front row every class — #soulgoals!
That being said, it’s always clean and the staff is great. They always have a big stash of gum at the desk which is a nice bonus. And if you can get a spot in the lot, validation makes it free which is great in Brentwood.

My girlfriend has been trying to get me to try out Soulcycle for a while now. I have typically resisted, but after taking a handful of classes at DEFINEbody (which is a very similar concept), I decided that I would give it a try. We went to Alli Forsythe’s class and although I enjoyed the experience on the whole, it definitely was not my favorite exercise class.
To me, the atmosphere seemed incredibly status-​focused, with a large portion of the class sporting their branded Soulcycle exercise clothes. In general, I have no problem with people buying branded clothing from exercise studios, but it felt mostly like people were doing it because it was the «trendy» thing to do rather than because they needed to buy sports clothing at some point and just happened to wear it to class. Status is even built into the general Soulcycle model where patrons can purchase a SuperSoul pass for 50 classes at $ 70 a pop. The website describes the perks as: «Allows riders to reserve classes in advance of sign-​ups. Includes full concierge service and priority on waitlists.» But, I digress… I realize some people enjoy this type of vibe, but I just thought I would mention it.
The reason I am giving Soul 3 stars has much more to do with the class itself though, then the general atmosphere. After putting on my shoes, I made my way to my bike, clipped in and started warming up. The instructor asked who was new and I and a couple others towards the back raised our hands. She then asked if we were comfortable and alright to which I responded with two thumbs up.
«I don’t accept two-​thumbs ups in here! This isn’t the office! You are out of the office I want to hear you guys yell!» — a clear jab at my gesture. When I nodded to another question, she made another similar comment. I came to the class to spin, not to scream and «woo», so I apologize for not bringing the right attitude, I guess. Still seemed pretty rude to me though.
The class was a mixture of general spinning, ab exercises and a short period of weights during the second to last song or so. I wasn’t a very big fan of Alli’s music personally, but everyone has their own preferences. The class was difficult and definitely got me sweating. I was glad when she said that she would be turning on the fans in the room, but unfortunately her remote wasn’t able to turn on the one near me in the back of the room… Shucks.
Since it was my first class, it was only $ 20. But, for $ 30 a class regularly and shoe rentals at $ 3, I would hope for a slightly better experience.
I’ll probably be back again sometime with my girlfriend. So, hopefully the next class is a little bit better and I can upgrade this rating. Until then, three stars it is.

Not like this place needs another glowing review, but I’ll give one anyway.
Hi my name is Zaneta, and I’m addicted to Soulcylce!
My friend started taking classes here and I decided to try it out to see what the hype was about. I had never taken any spin classes, and I’m not a huge cardio fan (my workout of choice before starting soulcycle was pilates), but I was still pretty excited.
The first class was a little overwhelming for me and I felt like a complete failure. First you have to adjust your bike, which my friend did for me. Then you have to clip your shoes into the bike, which was actually kinda tricky for me the first few times I did the classes, until I realized the clips are at a little bit of a slant. Then there’s the choreography with the push-​ups on the handlebars and the crunches, etc. The first time I did it I was a total disaster and couldn’t keep up. Everyone around me seemed like such pros, which was intimidating during my first class when I was stuck in struggle city. But now after just a few classes I can understand the lingo, and keep up with the choreography and ride to the beat.
I wasn’t sure if I’d come back after that, but I decided I had to try again and prove to myself I can do this… so I did, and I’ve been a regular since. Once you get your groove, it’s awesome!!! I love sweating and feeling like I’ve gotten a full-​body workout after each class. I come out of there with my face beet red and feeling really accomplished and strong.
I just actually bought my own pair of cycling shoes, which I was SO stoked, maybe too much so, as I kept talking about them all weekend long. Once you get to this level, a tip on purchasing your shoes… Helen’s Cycles in Santa Monica will give you a discount if you mention you ride at soulcycle.
Love you soulcycle!

I look forward to my SoulCycle class every week. SoulCycle is my 45 minute escape from my stresses and I can’t imagine my life without it. The Brentwood staff is so sweet and this is one of my favorite studios in LA! If you’re new to spinning, you can rent shoes for a small fee. All of the instructors are extremely helpful. My favorite instructor is Jenny C. who teaches at various studios throughout LA.
There is free 2-​hour parking with validation at a lot just behind this studio. They also offer free gum and hair ties, which is random but neat! Every week SoulCycle offers special themed rides based on artists, genres and events, so make sure to check for those as well!

SoulCycle Brentwood has great facilities, ambiance, and instructors to go along with a pretty decent workout. No secret, it’s beyond pricey, especially when your local 24 Hour Fitness offers spin classes where you’ll ultimately put out a similar amount of effort.
I have no doubt you’ll work harder at SoulCycle than you will at your local 24, but when one class costs the same as your whole month’s membership at your local Globogym 2000, it’s a tough sell to give it a 5 star based on value alone.
This location has pretty sweet facilities for what ultimately isn’t that big of a space. There are small lockers to store your stuff during class and a full service bathroom that you can use if you need to clean up after a workout. It’s not Equinox huge, but definitely helpful! Everything is clean, well kept, and feels like an upscale experience. As much as you’re paying for the workout, you’re paying for the whole SoulCycle experience.
In the workout room, the ambiance couldn’t be better. It feels like you’re entering an exclusive club for the Stonecutters or elite Scientologists when you enter the dimly lit room with perfect mood lighting. The sound system is great, instructors motivating, and there’s no doubt that you will cycle harder than you ever have before on the best spin bikes this side of Kinetic Cycling down the road. You’ll work hard, sweat a lot, and feel good about yourself after the workout.
If you’ve done CrossFit and spinning before, the workout isn’t that hard. You’ll never feel like you’re going to die like you do during any CrossFit workout, but you’ll likely enjoy yourself a lot more. The instructors are all top notch and they should be for the price you pay to spin on better bikes, in a cleaner place, with some of the most beautiful people in Brentwood.

This review is for the parking and facility since the class format is the same at every studio.
Parking: OMG it’s LA — we didn’t take the subway, we ALL DROVE. It’s a private lot and if you enter off San Vicente, you are asked if you are with SoulCycle by the attendant. Then you are sent to the back alley. An empty front lot? Doesn’t matter. Wait in back for ten minutes while they try to fit everyone in, and another ten when you come out while they move all the cars around. ITS A NIGHTMARE!!!
Lockers: After the parking situation means you have 3 minutes left to get ready for class, the lockers that are available are mostly BROKEN. It’s always been like this, which means they aren’t doing anything about it. How about replacing them, SoulCycle?
My tip to you: Go to the SMO studio.